Wireless telecommunications overlay system

ABSTRACT

A wireless communication system includes first and second communication systems and a controller. The first communication system receives a first control signal indicating a first power level and receives first communications. The first communication system formats the first communications into a first communication signal having the first power level and a first communication protocol, and transfers the first communication signal. The second communication system receives a second control signal indicating a second power level and receives second communications. The second communication system formats the second communications into a second communication signal having the second power level and a second communication protocol, and transfers the second communication signal. The controller transfers the control signals, and combines the first communication signal and the second communication signal to form a wireless communication signal, and transfers the wireless communication signal.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/017,929; filed on Oct. 30, 2001; entitled “WIRELESSTELECOMMUNICATIONS OVERLAY SYSTEM;” and hereby incorporated by referenceinto this patent application.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fields of single carrier and spreadspectrum wireless communications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communications currently are used in a number of communicationsystems. However, the communication systems often are limited incapacity due to limitations in the ability to place towers and otherequipment and the ability to use spectrum. Typically, the equipment in awireless communication system is used for a specific protocol orspectrum, such as personal communications service (PCS) or multichannelmultipoint distribution service (MMDS). However, typically more than oneprotocol is not serviced by equipment in the communication system.

Some communication systems have attempted to combine different protocolsand/or differing equipment to increase capacity or to deploy differentservices. For example, terrestrial systems exist that share spectrumwith satellite systems.

However, new communication systems and methods are needed that enableusing multiple wireless protocols to increase capacity, throughput,and/or improve services. The systems and methods of the presentinvention overlay multiple wireless protocols using dynamic channelsharing to increase capacity and throughput and to improve servicedelivery in a single communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system forgenerating a wireless complementary signal. The system comprises anincumbent system configured to format a first signal according to anincumbent protocol and an overlay system configured to format a secondsignal according to an overlay protocol. A controller is configured tooverlay the first signal with the second signal to create the wirelesscomplementary signal and to transmit the wireless complementary signal.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a system forgenerating a wireless complementary signal. The system comprises anincumbent system configured to format a first signal according to anincumbent protocol at a first transmission level and to generate theformatted first signal as an incumbent signal. The system includes anoverlay system configured to format a second signal according to anoverlay protocol at a second transmission level and to generate theformatted second signal as an overlay signal. The system also has acontroller configured to overlay the incumbent signal with the overlaysignal to create the wireless complementary signal and to transmit thewireless complementary signal. The system further includes a MAC entityconfigured to determine the first transmission level for the incumbentsignal and the second transmission level for the overlay signal. Thefirst transmission level is complementary to the second transmissionlevel.

In still another aspect, the present invention is directed to a systemfor receiving a wireless complementary signal. The system comprises acontroller configured to receive the wireless complementary signal andto transmit the wireless complementary signal, the wirelesscomplementary signal comprising an incumbent signal portion and anoverlay signal portion. The system includes an incumbent systemconfigured to receive the wireless complementary signal from thecontroller and to demodulate the incumbent signal portion. The systemalso has an overlay system configured to receive the wirelesscomplementary signal from the controller and to demodulate the overlaysignal portion.

In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forgenerating a wireless complementary signal. The method comprisesformatting a first signal according to an incumbent protocol using anincumbent system and formatting a second signal according to an overlayprotocol using an overlay system. The method includes overlaying thefirst signal with the second signal using a controller to create thewireless complementary signal. The wireless complementary signal istransmitted.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forgenerating a wireless complementary signal. The method comprisesformatting a first signal according to an incumbent protocol at a firsttransmission level using an incumbent system and generating theformatted first signal as an incumbent signal. A second signal isformatted according to an overlay protocol at a second transmissionlevel using an overlay system, and the formatted second signal isgenerated as an overlay signal. The incumbent signal is overlayed withthe overlay signal to create the wireless complementary signal using acontroller, and the wireless complementary signal is transmitted. Thefirst transmission level for the incumbent signal and the secondtransmission level for the overlay signal are determined using a MACentity. The first transmission level is complementary to the secondtransmission level.

In still a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a methodfor receiving a wireless complementary signal. The method comprisesreceiving a wireless complementary signal at a controller andtransmitting the wireless complementary signal, the wirelesscomplementary signal comprising an incumbent signal portion and anoverlay signal portion. The wireless complementary signal is receivedfrom the controller at an incumbent system, and the incumbent signalportion is demodulated. The wireless complementary signal is receivedfrom the controller at an overlay system, and the overlay signal portionis demodulated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a complementary signal for an incumbent signaland an overlay signal in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication system depicting a mediumaccess control entity in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication system depicting multiplemedium access control entities in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a communication system having an integratedtransmitter and an integrated receiver in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication system having an integratedtransmitter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Wireless communication systems often are limited in capacity due toequipment limitations and the limitations in available bandwidth for aparticular wireless protocol. Improvements in modulation and compressionhave helped increase the capacity of wireless communication systems. Inaddition, improvements in equipment and the use of new protocols haveincreased capacity and efficiency. However, a need still exists forfurther throughput and efficiency, especially in geographic areas thatlimit the ability and/or effectiveness of the equipment to provideservice through the wireless communication system.

The present invention uses an overlay of multiple wireless technologiesto increase the capacity and effectiveness for communications.Preferably, a wideband system, such as code division multiple access(CDMA), is overlaid onto a narrowband single carrier system, such asmultichannel multipoint distribution service (DS). Although, othersystems may be used. The two systems dynamically share channels so thatthe systems retain acceptable performance.

The present invention enables a service provider to build aninfrastructure using multiple systems with a reduction of totalequipment, such as towers, used. Alternately, the present inventionenables additional systems to be deployed by a service provider usingexisting infrastructures, such as existing towers. In addition,selection of a specific protocol or equipment to be used for short-termand future deployment phases can be optimized by using a first systemfor short-term or first service deployment and a second system foradditional or expanded services for a future or second deployment. Othermethods and deployments may be used.

The present invention facilitates co-existence of different servicedeployments by the same service provider. Thus, an incumbent system canbe used for a first service, and an overlay system can be used for asecond service. Moreover, spectrum use can be increased by usingmultiple protocols for the incumbent and overlay systems. In addition,dynamic channel sharing between the incumbent and overlay systemsenables greater spectrum use and service deployment.

The present invention combines signals from the incumbent system withsignals from the overlay system, thereby creating a single transmission.The incumbent and overlay signals are set at predefined negotiatedtransmission levels, including a frequency and power level, so that boththe incumbent signal and the overlay signal can be transmitted andreceived with acceptable performance. For example, an MMDS incumbentsignal can be overlaid with a CDMA overlay signal so that the MMDSsignal can be modulated and demodulated within acceptable noiseperformance levels of the CDMA signal. The overlay signal can be spreadacross a wide spectrum, so that the spreading effect accounts for anegligible impact on the incumbent signal and the performance of bothsystems.

Because of the advancement of wireless communication systems, it isfeasible to predict and attenuate the potential interference caused byoverlay signals on incumbent signals and incumbent signals on overlaysignals. This co-existence not only increases the spectral efficiency ofscarce spectrum, but it also enables abstraction between serviceofferings by a single service provider.

Preferably, the present invention uses a medium access control (MAC)entity to monitor and control the dynamic channel sharing between theincumbent system and the overlay system. Real time updates and status ofongoing transmissions and resource allocations by the MAC entity helpreduce the impact of reaction/response times when detecting if theincumbent system or the overlay system is idle or transmitting at lowthresholds and responding by increasing transmission levels for theother system. In addition, the MAC entity can reduce or eliminate thenear-far problem common to networks having channel access withoutcentralized control. The MAC entity also may help cooperating entities,for example, in some instances by controlling power usage of each.

The present invention contemplates multiple architectures. For example,incumbent system customer provided equipment (CPE) can incorporate atransceiver for the overlay system. This architecture would enablemultiple services to be delivered simultaneously over the incumbentsystem and the overlay system. For example, best effort services can beconfigured to be transmitted via the incumbent system, and guaranteedservices can be configured to be transmitted via the overlay system.Other examples exist. In other architectures, CPE can incorporate only atransceiver for an overlay system. In this architecture, the overlaysystem uses all available spectrum resources in the absence of signalsfrom the incumbent system. However, in this architecture, the overlaysystem is fully abstracted from the incumbent system.

The present invention uses complementary signals that are intentionallymixed. Thus, the incumbent signal is complementary to the overlaysignal, and the two signals are overlaid to create a complementarytransmission.

The use of the complementary signals is designed to reduce or eliminateproblems with noise and interference that otherwise may exist. Forexample, the incumbent signal may have a specific power level and afrequency. In addition, the incumbent signal may have a certain noiselevel within its power and frequency range. The overlay signal can beoverlaid on top of the incumbent signal at a viable power level andfrequency such that it can be transmitted and received successfully.Prior systems do not intentionally mix signals. The prior systems onlyuse multiple separate systems and different wireless spectrum.

Preferably, the mixing of the complementary signals is accomplished bydynamic channel sharing. In one embodiment, the dynamic channel sharingis achieved by sensing the power on channels used by the incumbentsystem. In one instance, the power sensing is achieved via input fromthe MAC entity. This method of using the MAC information for powersensing also reduces or eliminates the near-far problem that occurs insome communication systems and reduces reaction/response time delays fordynamically determining the channels to be shared by the incumbentsystem and the overlay system. Moreover, interference between theincumbent system and the overlay system is minimized due to thebandwidth spreading effect of the overlay system transceivers orreceivers.

The present invention may be used with a wireless system. For example,the present invention may be used with television signals, two-wayradios, wireless data signals, or another wireless systems. In addition,the present invention may be used for any spectrum, including licensedspectrum and unlicensed spectrum. Moreover, the present invention may beused for increased capacity, service deployment diversity, and/or otheradvances.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system of thepresent invention. The communication system 102 of FIG. 1 comprises anincumbent system 104, an overlay system 106, and a multi-accesscontroller 108. The incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 maycommunicate with a network device 110 and 112, respectively. Although,the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 may communicate withthe same network device or multiple network devices. The multi-accesscontroller 108 may communicate via a network 114.

The incumbent system 104 may be configured to receive signals from, andtransmit signals to, the multi-access controller 108 and the networkdevice 110. When so configured, the incumbent system 104 receivessignals from the network device 110, formats the signals according to aselected protocol, and transmits the formatted signals to themulti-access controller 108. Preferably, the incumbent system 104 isconfigured to format the signals according to protocols used for MMDSsystems. The incumbent system 104 may be configured to encrypt,compress, or otherwise process a signal in accordance with a format orprotocol for which the signal will be transmitted to the multi-accesscontroller 108.

Preferably, the incumbent system 104 comprises a modulator configured tomodulate the signals to be transmitted to the multi-access controller108. More preferably, the incumbent system 104 comprises a modulatorconfigured to modulate the signals according to protocols used for MMDSsystems.

The incumbent system 104 may be configured to use a modulationtechnique. Preferably, the incumbent system 104 is configured tomodulate the incumbent signal according to protocols used for singlecarrier systems, such as narrowband systems, including protocols forMMDS spectrum.

The incumbent system 104 formats signals received from the networkdevice 110 as incumbent signals transmitted to the multi-accesscontroller 108. The incumbent signals each have a transmission level,including a frequency and a power level. The transmission levels may bepredefined, negotiated levels. Alternately the transmission levels maybe set and/or changed dynamically according to control signals receivedby the multi-access controller 108. In either case, the incumbentsignals are complementary to the overlay signals. The incumbent signalsare formatted according to protocols used with incumbent systems, suchas an MMDS system and a wireless communication system (WCS) system.These protocols will be referred to herein as incumbent protocols.Incumbent protocols used for formatting incumbent signals for wirelesssystems, such as an MMDS system and a WCS system, also may be referredto as wireless incumbent protocols.

The incumbent system 104 also may be configured to receive signals fromthe multi-access controller 108, process the signals, and transmit thesignals to the network device 110. The incumbent system 104 isconfigured to process the signals to a format receivable by the networkdevice 110 or another device. The incumbent system 104 may be configuredto format the signals from a carrier band protocol, such as protocolsused for MMDS spectrum, to a format receivable by the network device110. The incumbent system 104 may be configured to de-encrypt,decompress, or otherwise process the signals so that they are receivableby the network device 110. The incumbent system 104 preferably isconfigured to receive a complementary signal from the multi-accesscontroller 108 and to format the incumbent signal portion of thecomplementary signal for reception by a network device.

The incumbent system 104 may comprise a modulator configured tode-modulate signals received from the multi-access controller 108 priorto sending the signals to the network device 110. Preferably, theincumbent system 104 comprises a modulator configured to de-modulateMMDS signals so that they are receivable by the network device 110.

The incumbent system 104 may be configured with a variable power controlmechanism. For example, the incumbent system 104 may be an MMDS systemcomprising a variable power control mechanism that can be used todynamically obtain greater capacity for service deployment, such as besteffort services or services requiring a minimum guaranteed capacity. Inthis example, an MMDS type incumbent system 104 can dynamically use agiven channel of spectrum when the overlay system 106 is idle and nottransmitting overlay signals.

The overlay system 106 may be configured to receive signals from, andtransmit signals to, the multi-access controller 108 and the networkdevice 112. When so configured, the overlay system 106 receives signalsfrom the network device 112, formats the signals according to a selectedprotocol, and transmits the formatted signals to the multi-accesscontroller 108. Preferably, the overlay system 106 is configured toformat the signals according to protocols used for CDMA systems. Theoverlay system 106 may be configured to encrypt, compress, or otherwiseprocess a signal in accordance with a format or protocol for which thesignal will be transmitted to the multi-access controller 108.

Preferably, the overlay system 106 comprises a modulator configured tomodulate the signals to be transmitted to the multi-access controller108. More preferably, the overlay system 106 comprises a modulatorconfigured to modulate the signals according to protocols used for CDMAsystems.

The overlay system 106 may be configured to use a modulation technique.Preferably, the overlay system 106 is configured to modulate the overlaysignal according to protocols used for wideband spread spectrum, such asprotocols used for CDMA systems.

The overlay system 106 formats signals received from the network device112 as overlay signals transmitted to the multi-access controller 108.The overlay signals each have a transmission level, including afrequency and a power level. The transmission levels may be predefined,negotiated levels. Alternately the transmission levels may be set and/orchanged dynamically according to control signals received by themulti-access controller 108. In either case, the overlay signals arecomplementary to the incumbent signals. The overlay signals areformatted according to protocols used with overlay systems, such as aCDMA system, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)system, and an ultra wide band (UWB) system. These protocols will bereferred to herein as overlay protocols. Overlay protocols used forformatting overlay signals for wireless systems, such as a CDMA system,an OFDM system, and a UWB system, also may be referred to as wirelessoverlay protocols.

The overlay system 106 also may be configured to receive signals fromthe multi-access controller 108, process the signals, and transmit thesignals to the network device 112. The overlay system 106 is configuredto process the signals to a format receivable by the network device 112or another device. The overlay system 106 may be configured to formatthe signals from a wideband protocol, such as protocols used for CDMAsignals, to a format receivable by the network device 112. The overlaysystem 106 may be configured to de-encrypt, decompress, or otherwiseprocess the signals so that they are receivable by the network device112. The overlay system 106 preferably is configured to receive acomplementary signal from the multi-access controller 108 and to formatthe overlay signal portion of the complementary signal for reception bya network device.

The overlay system 106 may comprise a modulator configured tode-modulate signals received from the multi-access controller 108 priorto sending the signals to the network device 112. Preferably, theoverlay system 106 comprises a modulator configured to de-modulate CDMAsignals so that they are receivable by the network device 112.

The overlay system 106 may be configured with a variable power controlmechanism. For example, the overlay system 106 may be a CDMA systemcomprising a variable power control mechanism that can be used todynamically obtain greater capacity for service deployment, such as besteffort services or services requiring a minimum guaranteed capacity. Inthis example, a CDMA type overlay system 106 can dynamically use a givenchannel of spectrum when the incumbent system 104 is idle and nottransmitting incumbent signals.

The transmission levels of the overlay signals are complementary to thetransmission levels of the incumbent signals. The complementarytransmission levels result in acceptable interference and performancefor both the incumbent signals and the overlay signals, as explainedmore completely below. The complementary nature of the incumbent signalsand the overlay signals enables them to co-exist in the same time andfrequency domain.

The multi-access controller 108 may be configured to receive signalsfrom, and/or transmit signals to, the incumbent system 104, the overlaysystem 106, and/or the network 114. The multi-access controller 108 isconfigured to receive an incumbent signal from the incumbent system 104and an overlay signal from the overlay system 106. The multi-accesscontroller 108 overlays the overlay signal on the incumbent signal tocreate a complementary signal that the multi-access controller transmitsvia the network 114. The multi-access controller 108 can overlay thesignals using a selected process, method, or mechanism, such as mixingor otherwise combining the signals.

It will be appreciated that the multi-access controller 108intentionally mixes or otherwise overlays the incumbent signal with theoverlay signal to create the complementary signal. This enables themulti-access controller 108 to design around potential interference,using the respective transmission levels of the incumbent signal and theoverlay signal to create the complementary signal.

In some instances, the multi-access controller 108 may be configured toformat or otherwise process the complementary signal prior totransmitting it via the network 114, either before or after combiningthe incumbent signal and the overlay signal to create the complementarysignal. For example, the multi-access controller 108 may encrypt,compress, or effect signal processing to the complementary signal priorto transmitting the complementary signal via the network 114.

In addition or alternately, the multi-access controller 108 may beconfigured to receive a complementary signal via the network 114. Themulti-access controller 108 may be configured to transmit thecomplementary signal to the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106. In some instances, the multi-access controller 108 may beconfigured to format or otherwise process the complementary signal priorto transmitting it to the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106. For example, the multi-access controller 108 may de-encrypt,decompress, or effect signal processing to the complementary signalprior to transmitting the complementary signal to the incumbent system104 and the overlay system 106.

In some embodiments, the multi-access controller 108 also may include amulti-access transceiver to separate the incumbent signal and theoverlay signal from the complementary signal. The multi-accesscontroller 108 then transmits the incumbent signal to the incumbentsystem 104 and transmits the overlay signal to the overlay system 106.The multi-access controller 108 can separate the incumbent signal andoverlay signal from the complementary signal using a selected method,process, or mechanism, such as de-modulating the complementary signalinto the incumbent signal and the overlay signal.

In the embodiments where the multi-access controller 108 includes amulti-access transceiver, it may be configured to receive and transmitsignals configured according to a modulation technique, includingmodulation for protocols used for narrowband systems and widebandsystems, such as MMDS systems and CDMA systems, respectively. Themulti-access controller 108 may be configured to combine and/or splitincumbent signals, overlay signals, and complementary signals, eachpossibly using one or more modulation techniques.

The multi-access controller 108 operates as a central controller andresource allocater. The multi-access controller 108 may be configured tooverlay signals having predefined, negotiated transmission levels.Alternately, the multi-access controller can be configured todynamically determine the transmission levels of one or more incumbentsignals and/or overlay signals. Thus, the multi-access controller 108can be configured to transmit control signals to the incumbent system104 and the overlay system 106 identifying transmission levels for therespective systems or otherwise control the systems.

The multi-access controller 108 effects dynamic channel sharing betweenthe incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. The dynamic channelsharing occurs as a result of overlaying the overlay signals onrespective incumbent signals using the complementary transmissionlevels. This dynamic channel sharing between the incumbent system 104and the overlay system 106 enables greater use of scarce spectrum,especially by dynamically allocating spectrum use to the overlay system106 when the spectrum is not used by the incumbent system 104 and/orvice versa. Moreover, this dynamic channel sharing enables dynamicreallocation of spectrum for the incumbent system 104 and the overlaysystem 106 for best effort services or to augment services requiring aminimum guaranteed capacity.

The multi-access controller 108 determines what resources andtransmission levels are used by the incumbent system 104 and the overlaysystem 106. When the multi-access controller 108 is dynamicallyallocating resources and transmission levels to the incumbent system 104and the overlay system 106, the multi-access controller may beconfigured to use that information to extrapolate and select a desiredresource and transmission level so that the signals may be overlaid.

The multi-access controller 108 may be configured to determine whatprotocols are used when a complementary signal is received, includingthe transmission levels of the respective incumbent signal and overlaysignal. The multi-access controller 108 may transmit that information tothe incumbent system 104 and/or the overlay system 106.

The multi-access controller 108 may comprise a carrier sensing system(CSS) to dynamically allocate the resources and transmission levels ofthe incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. The CSS determinesthe resources and transmission levels currently being used by storing orcaching the system status, such as frequency, time slot, and powerlevel, for the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. The CSSalso may sense and store whether the transmissions are regular orirregular, whether the signals are constant bit rate (CBR) or variablebit rate (VBR), or other characteristics of the signals and performanceof the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106.

The CSS may comprise signal detection hardware or a medium accesscontrol (MAC) entity. Signal detection hardware senses the power levelson signals received from the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106 and generates control signals to effect changes or retain the samelevels as needed. The MAC entity receives or obtains real time updatesof the status of ongoing signals and resource allocations by theincumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. Use of the MAC entitycan reduce the impact of reaction/response times of signal detectionhardware and eliminate or reduce the near-far problem common to networkswith channel access not having centralized control.

On the receiving side, the CSS may be configured to determine thetransmission levels of the complementary signal. It will be appreciatedthat the CSS may be configured to use one or more carrier sensingtechniques, such as listen before talk, two-way family radio techniques,and IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) techniques.

The multi-access controller 108 may be configured to transmit controlsignals to the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. Thesecontrol signals identify transmission levels to be used for incumbentsignals and overlay signals, respectively. The control signals mayrequire the incumbent system 104 or the overlay system 106 to raise orlower transmission levels or the output of incumbent signals and/or theoverlay signals to the multi-access controller 108 based on the outputof the opposing incumbent system 104 or overlay system 106, capacityneeds, capacity availability, and other factors. Thus, the multi-accesscontroller 108 synchronizes the needs and availabilities of theincumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 and may use controlsignals to achieve those ends.

It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the multi-accesscontroller 108 may include a transmitter only. In this configuration,the multi-access controller 108 will be able to receive incumbentsignals from the incumbent system 104 and overlay signals from theoverlay system 106, overlay the signals to create the complementarysignal, and transmit the complementary signal via the network 114.

Alternately, in some embodiments, the multi-access controller 108 mayinclude a receiver only. In this configuration, the multi-accesscontroller 108 will be configured to receive a complementary signal viathe network 114, transmit the complementary signal to the incumbentsystem 104, and transmit the complementary signal to the overlay system106.

The network devices 110 and 112 are devices configured to receivesignals from, and/or transmit signals to, the incumbent system 104and/or the overlay system 106. The network devices 110 and 112 may be,for example, a telephone, a computer, a service hub, a transceiver, oranother device configured to transmit signals to, or receive signalsfrom, the incumbent system 104 and/or the overlay system 106.

The network 114 is a network configured to carry signals, such ascomplementary signals, to and from the multi-access controller 108. Thenetwork 114 may include hardware, software, or a combination thereof.For example, the network 114 may include wireless switches, antennas,receivers, transceivers, and/or other devices configured to handlesignals.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an incumbent signal, anoverlay signal, and a complementary signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,an incumbent signal 202 is overlaid with an overlay signal 204 to createa complementary signal 206.

The incumbent signal 202 has a frequency and a power level. In addition,the incumbent signal has a noise level 208. In this example, theincumbent signal is modulated as an MMDS signal.

The overlay signal 204 has a frequency and a power level. The powerlevel of the overlay signal 204 can be configured to be above, below,and/or at the noise level 208 of the incumbent signal 202. Because theoverlay signal 204 is modulated and demodulated as a wideband signalusing spreading codes, it can be decoded at any level above, below,and/or at the noise level 208 of the incumbent signal 202. In thisexample, the overlay signal 204 is a CDMA signal with a power levelencompassing than the noise level of the incumbent signal 206.

The spread spectrum characteristics of the CDMA signal, i.e. spreading anarrowband signal over a wideband width, enables the signal to have apower spectral density level in the range of thermal noise spectraldensity. Thus, when the incumbent signal 202 is overlaid with theoverlay signal 204 to create the complementary signal 206, the impact ofthe spread spectrum CDMA signal to the narrowband MMDS signal is anegligible rise in the noise level. Since the CDMA signal has anegotiated transmission level, either predefined or specified by acontrol signal, splitting of the complementary signal and laterdemodulation of the MMDS signal and the CDMA signal occurs withacceptable performance. The spreading effect of the CDMA signal accountsfor a negligible impact on the MMDS signal and a negligible impact ofthe MMDS signal on the CDMA signal.

The complementary nature of the complementary signal 206 can be seenfrom FIG. 2. Once the overlay signal 204 is combined with the incumbentsignal 202, the two signals exist in a single complementary signal 206in the same time and frequency domain. Thus, the intentionalcomplementary mixing of the two signals results in the dynamic channelsharing between the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106.

The system of FIG. 1 operates as follows. In a first example, theincumbent system 104 has primary transmission rights, and the overlaysystem 106 has secondary rights. The multi-access controller 108determines the transmission levels of the incumbent signals to begenerated by the incumbent system 104. Then, the multi-access controller108 determines the transmission levels of the overlay signals to begenerated by the overlay system 106. In this example, the overlay system106 is constrained to use transmission levels that result in acceptableinterference for the incumbent system 104. The incumbent system 104 andthe overlay system 106 then operate at these predefined, negotiatedtransmission levels.

The network device 110 transmits a signal to the incumbent system 104.The incumbent system 104 modulates the signal according to thetransmission levels identified by the multi-access controller 108. Theincumbent system 104 then transmits the modulated signal as theincumbent signal to the multi-access controller 108.

The network device 112 transmits a signal to the overlay system 106. Theoverlay system 106 modulates the signal according to the transmissionlevels identified by the multi-access controller 108. The incumbentsystem 106 then transmits the modulated signal as an overlay signal tothe multi-access controller 108.

The multi-access controller 108 receives the incumbent signal from theincumbent system 104 and the overlay signal from the overlay system 106.In this example, the multi-access controller 108 mixes the incumbentsignal with the overlay signal to create the complementary signal. Themulti-access controller 108 then transmits the complementary signal overthe network 114.

In this example, the incumbent signal is a narrowband signal and theoverlay signal is a wideband spread spectrum signal. Thus, thecomplementary signal is an overlay of a wideband spread spectrum signalwith a narrowband signal.

In another example, 1.25 megahertz (MHz) CDMA signals are used foroperation in MMDS spectrum. In this example, the incumbent system 104uses 6 MHz MMDS spectrum.

The incumbent system 104 generates incumbent signals using the 6 MHzspectrum. The overlay system 106 uses four 1.25 MHz CDMA channels togenerate overlay signals. The multi-access controller 108 receives theincumbent signals modulated in the 6 MHz spectrum and receives theoverlay signals modulated in the 1.25 MHz spectrum. The multi-accesscontroller 108 overlays the 1.25 MHz overlay signals onto the 6 MHzincumbent signals, using the remaining 1 MHz for guard channels.

In another example, the incumbent system 104 is configured to modulateincumbent signals using 6 MHz spectrum. The overlay system 106 isconfigured to use 5 MHz CDMA signals. The incumbent system 104 generatesincumbent signals to the multi-access controller 108 using the 6 MHzMMDS spectrum. The overlay system 106 generates overlay signals to themulti-access controller 108 using the 5 MHz wideband CDMA signals. Themulti-access controller 108 receives the incumbent signals and theoverlay signals. The multi-access controller 108 overlays the incumbentsignal with the overlay signal, using the remaining 1 MHz for guardchannels.

It will be appreciated that other overlay configurations may be used.The above overlay configurations are examples, and other frequencies andconfigurations may be used.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. When the incumbent system 104 modulates a signal to create anincumbent signal, the MAC entity senses the transmission levels of theincumbent signal. Likewise, when the overlay system 106 modulates asignal received from the network device 112 to create an overlay signal,the MAC entity senses the transmission level of the overlay signal. TheMAC entity uses the sensed transmission levels of the incumbent signaland overlay signal to confirm that the incumbent system 104 and theoverlay system 106 are modulating the respective signals according tothe predefined negotiated levels. In addition, the MAC entity uses thesensed transmission levels of the respective signals to mix theincumbent signal and the overlay signal to create the complementarysignal.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises signaldetection hardware. When the incumbent system 104 modulates a signal tocreate an incumbent signal, the signal detection hardware senses thetransmission levels of the incumbent signal. Likewise, when the overlaysystem 106 modulates a signal received from the network device 112 tocreate an overlay signal, the signal detection hardware senses thetransmission level of the overlay signal. The signal detection hardwareuses the sensed transmission levels of the incumbent signal and overlaysignal to confirm that the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106 are modulating the respective signals according to the predefinednegotiated levels. In addition, the signal detection hardware uses thesensed transmission levels of the respective signals to mix theincumbent signal and the overlay signal to create the complementarysignal.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. In this example, the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106 provide real time updates of system status when a received signal ismodulated or demodulated. Thus, for example, when the incumbent system104 modulates a signal received from the network device 110 andtransmits that modulated signal to the multi-access controller 108, astatus signal is transmitted to the MAC entity. Likewise, when theoverlay system 106 receives a signal from the network device 112 andmodulates the signal to create the overlay signal, the overlay systemtransmits a status signal to the MAC entity. The status signals identifytransmission levels and the overall system status of the incumbentsystem 104 and/or the overlay system 106, respectively.

In this example, the MAC entity uses the real time status to allocateresources and to identify transmission levels to be used by theincumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. The MAC entityidentifies the power level used by the incumbent system 104 and thepower level used by the overlay system 106.

The multi-access controller 108 dynamically allocates the power levelsto be used by the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106. Themulti-access controller 108 entity transmits a control signal to theincumbent system 104 identifying the power level to be used by theincumbent system 104 when modulating a signal to create the incumbentsignal. Likewise, the multi-access controller 108 transmits a controlsignal to the overlay system 106 identifying the power level to be usedwhen modulating the signal received from the network device 112 tocreate the overlay signal. Thus, the MAC entity dynamically determinesthe channel sharing for the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106.

It will be appreciated that the MAC entity can identify the modulationscheme to be used by either the incumbent system 104 or the overlaysystem 106. In addition, the MAC entity can identify protocols to beused for a designated spectrum, frequency, power levels, digitalprocessing, and/or whether spectrum is available for use by theincumbent system 104 and/or the overlay system 106. In this example, theMAC entity is configured to raise or lower transmission levels ofsignals formatted by the incumbent system 104 or the overlay system 106depending on requirements of the other system. The MAC entity isconfigured to transmit control signals to the incumbent system 104 orthe overlay system 106 to effect that formatting.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. However, in this example the incumbent system 104 and theoverlay system 106 do not transmit status signals to the MAC entity.Instead, the MAC entity monitors the incumbent system 104 and theoverlay system 106. Thus, the MAC entity monitors modulation schemes andtheir respective transmission levels. The MAC entity then determineswhether a modulation scheme, including transmission levels and othersignal characteristics, should remain the same or are changed. Thus, theMAC entity dynamically determines the channel sharing for the incumbentsystem 104 and the overlay system 106.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 receives acomplementary signal. The multi-access controller 108 estimates thetransmission levels of the complementary signal. The multi-accesscontroller 108 transmits the complementary signal to the incumbentsystem 104 and to the overlay system 106.

The incumbent system 104 receives the complementary signal anddemodulates the incumbent signal portion to yield a signal receivable bythe network device 110. The incumbent system 104 then transmits thesignal to the network device 110.

The overlay system 106 receives the complementary signal from themulti-access controller 108 and demodulates the overlay signal portionto yield a format receivable by the network device 112. The overlaysystem 106 then transmits the signal to the network device 112.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. The multi-access controller 108 receives a complementary signaland transmits the complementary signal to the incumbent system 104 andthe overlay system 106. In this instance, the multi-access controller108 does not process the complementary signal.

The incumbent system 104 comprises a demodulator that demodulates thecomplementary signal. In this example, the incumbent system 104demodulates only the incumbent signal portion of the complementarysignal to yield a signal receivable by the network device 110. The restof the complementary signal, including the overlay signal portion of thecomplementary signal, appears to the incumbent system 104 as noise orother interference. In other examples, the incumbent system 104 mayotherwise process the signal after it is demodulated, such as withde-encryption or other signal processing.

The overlay system 106 comprises a demodulator that demodulates thecomplementary signal. In this example, the overlay system 106demodulates only the overlay signal portion of the complementary signalto yield a signal receivable by the network device 112. The rest of thecomplementary signal, including the incumbent signal portion of thecomplementary signal, appears to the overlay system 106 as noise orother interference. In other examples, the overlay system 106 mayotherwise process the signal after it is demodulated, such as withde-encryption or other signal processing.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. The multi-access controller 108 receives a complementary signalvia the network 114. The MAC entity determines the signalcharacteristics of the complementary signal, including the power level.The multi-access controller 108 transmits the complementary signal tothe incumbent system 104 and the overlay signal to the overlay system106. Additionally, the multi-access controller 108 transmits a controlsignal to the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106identifying the signal characteristics of the complementary signal.

The incumbent system 104 receives the complementary signal and thecontrol signal. The incumbent system uses the signal characteristicsidentified by the control signal to format the incumbent signal portionof the complementary signal into a signal receivable by the networkdevice 110. In this example, the incumbent signal portion of thecomplementary signal is modulated with an incumbent protocol for theMMDS spectrum. In other examples, the signal characteristics mayidentify bandwidth, spreading codes, encryption, compression, or otherprocessing characteristics.

The overlay system 106 receives the complementary signal and the controlsignal from the multi-access controller 108. The overlay system 106 usesthe signal characteristics identified in the control signal to formatthe overlay signal portion of the complementary signal to a formreceivable by the network device 112. In this example, the signalcharacteristics identify the incumbent signal portion of thecomplementary signal as having an incumbent protocol for a CDMA signal.In other examples, the signal characteristics may identify bandwidth,spreading codes, encryption, compression, or other processingcharacteristics.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 comprises a MACentity. In this example, the multi-access controller 108 does nottransmit control signals to the incumbent system 104 and the overlaysystem 106. In this example, the MAC entity directly monitors andcontrols the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106.

The multi-access controller 108 receives a complementary signal over thenetwork 114. The multi-access controller 108 transmits the complementarysignal to the incumbent system 104 and to the overlay system 106.

The incumbent system 104 receives the complementary signal from themulti-access controller 108. The MAC entity identifies the signalcharacteristics of the complementary signal. The incumbent system 104uses the signal characteristics of the complementary signal to formatthe complementary signal to a format receivable by the network device110. In this example, the incumbent system 104 demodulates andde-encrypts the complementary signal to a form receivable by the networkdevice 110.

The overlay system 106 receives the complementary signal from themulti-access controller 108. The MAC entity communicates the signalcharacteristics of the complementary signal to the overlay system 106.The overlay system uses the signal characteristics of the complementarysignal to format the overlay signal to a form receivable by the networkdevice 112. In this example, the overlay system demodulates anddecompresses the complementary signal consistent with the signalcharacteristics to a format receivable by the network device 112.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of another communication system102A. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the communication system 102Acomprises a MAC entity 302. It will be appreciated that the incumbentsystem 104, the overlay system 106, the multi-access controller 108,and/or the MAC entity 302 may be co-located or distributed. Also, eachmay include one or more software or hardware components. For example,they may be in a single service hub or other device, or one or morecomponents may be distributed in one or more separate devices. Moreover,as depicted in FIG. 3, the network device 110, the network device 112,and the network 114 may communicate with any of the incumbent system104, the overlay system 106, and the multi-access controller 108.Moreover, other network devices may be included in the communicationsystem 102A, or one or more of the network devices 110 or 112 may beeliminated from the communication system. The same is true for thecommunication system 102 of FIG. 1.

The MAC entity 302 monitors reception and transmission of signals to andfrom each of the incumbent system 104, the overlay system 106, and themulti-access controller 108. The MAC entity 302 monitors the signalcharacteristics of each signal transmitted or received. The signalcharacteristics may include bandwidth, spreading codes, modulationschemes, transmission levels, protocol formatting, and signalprocessing, such as encryption, de-encryption, compression,decompression, and other processing techniques. For example, the MACentity 302 monitors and senses received power on signals received fromthe incumbent system 104 at the multi-access controller 108, signalsreceived from the overlay system 106 at the multi-access controller, andsignals received from the network 114 or other network device at themulti-access controller.

The MAC entity 302 may be configured to directly monitor and controlsignal characteristics, such as bandwidth, spreading codes, modulationschemes and transmission levels, of signals formatted at the incumbentsystem 104 and the overlay system 106. Alternately, the MAC entity 302may be configured to transmit control signals to the incumbent system104 or the overlay system 106. In addition, the MAC entity 302 may beconfigured to communicate monitored status or received status signals tothe multi-access controller 108, and the multi-access controller 108then may be configured to transmit control signals to the incumbentsystem 104 and the overlay system 106 or otherwise provide control.

The monitoring and control of the MAC entity 302 enables themulti-access controller 108 to combine incumbent signals and overlaysignals and to identify signal characteristics for formatting receivedcomplementary signals. The MAC entity 302 generates real time statusinformation of the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 tothe multi-access controller 108, either through direct communication ortransmission and reception of status signals. Thus, the MAC entity 302enables the multi-access controller 108 to dynamically control channelsharing on a real time basis.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the MAC entity 302 is depicted as separatefrom the multi-access controller 108. However, FIG. 3 depicts logicalcomponents for ease of understanding. The MAC entity 302 may be a partof the multi-access controller 108 or separate from the multi-accesscontroller. Likewise, the MAC entity 302 may have multiple sub-MACentities included in one or more of the incumbent system 104 and theoverlay system 106.

The communication system 102A of FIG. 3 operates as follows. In a firstexample, the MAC entity 302 is a part of the multi-access controller108. The network device 110 transmits a signal that is received by theoverlay system 106, and the network device 112 transmits a signal thatis received by the incumbent system 104. In this example, the networkdevices 110 and 112 are not directly connected to either of theincumbent system 104 or the overlay system 106, and intervening devicesmay route the signals to the respective incumbent system and overlaysystem. In this example, the signal from the network device 110 is avoice telephone call, and the signal from the network device 112 ismulti-media Internet Protocol (IP) connection.

In this example, the protocols with which the signals are to beformatted, including their modulation schemes, are predefined andnegotiated for each of the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system106. The incumbent system 104 receives the signal generated from thenetwork device 112, formats the signal according to an incumbentprotocol to create an incumbent signal, and transmits the incumbentsignal to the multi-access controller 108. The overlay system 106receives the signal generated from the network device 110, formats thesignal according to an overlay protocol to create an overlay signal, andtransmits the overlay signal to the multi-access controller 108.

While the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 are creatingthe respective incumbent signal and overlay signal, the MAC entity 302monitors the incumbent system and overlay system to determine the signalcharacteristics of the incumbent signal and the overlay signal and todetermine whether or not the incumbent system and overlay system areformatting signals according to the predefined negotiated levels foreach system to create the respective incumbent signal and overlaysignal. The MAC entity 302 passes the status to the multi-accesscontroller 108. In this example, the status includes the system statusof each of the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106 and thesignal characteristics of each of the incumbent signal and the overlaysignal.

The multi-access controller 108 receives the incumbent signal and theoverlay signal and the status from the MAC entity. The multi-accesscontroller 108 overlays the incumbent signal with the overlay signal tocreate a complementary signal. The multi-access controller 108 thentransmits the complementary signal. In this example, the complementarysignal is transmitted to the network 114.

In another example, the MAC entity 302 is separate from the multi-accesscontroller 108. The MAC entity 302 communicates with the incumbentsystem 104, the overlay system 106, and the multi-access controller 108.The MAC entity 302 receives status signals from the incumbent system 104and the overlay system 106. In this example, the status signals comprisesystem status and signal characteristics. In other examples, the statussignals may include only the system status, only the signalcharacteristics, or other information. Additionally, in this example,the MAC entity 302 receives instructions from the multi-accesscontroller 108 and generates instructions to the incumbent system 104and the overlay system 106 based on those instructions. In otherexamples, the multi-access controller 108 generates control signalsdirectly to the incumbent system 104 and the overlay system 106.

The MAC entity 302 receives a status signal from the incumbent system104 and the overlay system 106. The MAC entity transmits the systemstatus to the multi-access controller 108. The multi-access controller108 determines that the power levels of the incumbent system 104 and theoverlay system 106 should be modified. The multi-access controller 108transmits the information identifying the power level for the incumbentsystem 104 and the power level for the overlay system 106 to the MACentity 302. The MAC entity 302 transmits a control signal to theincumbent system 104 identifying the power level to be used for futureincumbent signals. The MAC entity 302 also transmits a control signal tothe overlay system 106 identifying the power levels to be used forfuture overlay signals.

The incumbent system 104 receives a signal and modulates the signalaccording to the power levels identified in the control signal from theMAC entity 302. The incumbent system 104 then transmits the modulatedsignal as an incumbent signal to the multi-access controller 108. Theincumbent system 104 also transmits a status signal to the MAC entity302 identifying the transmission levels of the incumbent signal,including the power level.

The overlay system 106 receives a signal and modulates the signalaccording to the power level identified in the control signal from theMAC entity 302. The overlay system 106 transmits the modulated signal asan overlay signal to the multi-access controller 108. Additionally, theoverlay system 106 transmits a status signal to the MAC entity 302identifying the transmission levels used for the overlay signal,including the power level.

The MAC entity 302 receives the status signal from the incumbent system104 and the overlay system 106. The MAC entity 302 transmits the statusto the multi-access controller 108.

The multi-access controller receives the incumbent signal, the overlaysignal, and the status from the MAC entity 302. The multi-accesscontroller 108 determines that the correct transmission levels were usedfor the modulation of the incumbent signal and overlay signal. Themulti-access controller 108 mixes the incumbent signal and the overlaysignal to create the complementary signal. The multi-access controller108 transmits the complementary signal.

In another example, the overlay system 106 receives multiple signals forguaranteed services. The incumbent system 104 receives multiple signalsfor best effect services. The MAC entity 302 monitors both the incumbentsystem 104 and the overlay system 106 and determines that the overlaysystem received signals for guaranteed services. The MAC entity 302instructs the multi-access controller 108 that signals for guaranteedservices were received by the overlay system 106 and signals for besteffort services were received by the incumbent system 104.

The multi-access controller 108 instructs the overlay system 106 tomodulate the signals for transmission. The overlay system 106 modulatesthe signals, and transmits the signals to the multi-access controller108. The multi-access controller overlays the signals as complementarysignals for transmission.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 receives a signalfrom the network 114. The MAC entity 302 monitors the signal anddetermines that it is a complementary signal. The MAC entity 302determines the signal characteristics of the complementary signal andcommunicates the signal characteristics to the incumbent system 104 andthe overlay system 106. The multi-access controller 108 also transmitsthe complementary signal to the incumbent system 104 and to the overlaysystem 106. In this example the MAC entity 302 is a part of themulti-access controller 108.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 102Bwith multiple MAC entities. The communication system 102B comprises amulti-access controller 108 in communication with an MMDS system 404 anda CDMA system 406. In this example, the MAC entity 302A comprises anMMDS MAC entity 408 and a CDMA MAC entity 410.

The MMDS system 404 formats signals to be transmitted for protocols usedwith MMDS spectrum. These will be referred to herein as MMDS protocols.Preferably, the MMDS system 404 comprises a modulator configured tomodulate signals to be transmitted according to required transmissionlevels. For the purposes of simplicity, the MMDS system 404 will beidentified as generating incumbent signals. However, it will beappreciated that the MMDS system 404 can be configured as an overlaysystem in other configurations.

The CDMA system 406 formats signals to be transmitted according toprotocols used with CDMA signals. For simplicity, these protocols willbe referred to herein as CDMA protocols. Preferably, the CDMA system 406comprises a modulator configured to modulate signals to be transmittedaccording to required transmission levels. For simplicity, the CDMAsystem 406 will be referred to as generating overlay signals. However,the CDMA system 406 can be referred to as an incumbent system in otherembodiments.

The MMDS MAC entity 408 monitors signals received at, and transmittedfrom, the MMDS system 404. The MMDS MAC entity 408 transmits status tothe multi-access controller 108 and the CDMA MAC entity 410 and receivesstatus information from the CDMA MAC entity. Further, the MMDS MACentity 408 receives control instructions from the multi-accesscontroller 108.

The MMDS MAC entity 408 transmits control instructions to the MMDSsystem 404. Preferably, the MMDS MAC entity 408 is configured in theMMDS system 404. Alternately, the MMDS MAC entity 408 may be configuredas a part of the multi-access controller 108 or as a separate MAC entity302A separate from the MMDS system 404 and separate from themulti-access controller 108.

The CDMA MAC entity 410 monitors signals received at, and transmittedfrom, the CDMA system 406. The CDMA MAC entity 410 transmits status tothe multi-access controller 108 and the MMDS MAC entity 408 and receivesstatus information from the MMDS MAC entity. Further, the CDMA MACentity 410 receives control instructions from the multi-accesscontroller 108.

The CDMA MAC entity 410 transmits control instructions to the CDMAsystem 406. Preferably, the CDMA MAC entity 410 is configured in theCDMA system 406. Alternately, the CDMA MAC entity 410 may be configuredas a part of the multi-access controller 108 or as a separate MAC entity302A separate from the CDMA system 406 and separate from themulti-access controller 108.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the MMDS MAC entity 408 and the CDMA MACentity 410 interface with each other and transmit status signals to eachother. Likewise, the MMDS MAC entity 408 and the CDMA MAC entity 410 arein constant communication with the multi-access controller 108. In thismanner, the multi-access controller 108, the MMDS MAC entity 408, andthe CDMA MAC entity 410 operate together to determine and control signalformatting, including modulation and selection of transmission levels,for the MMDS system 404 and the CDMA system 406.

The system in FIG. 4 operates as follows. In a first example, the MMDSsystem 404 receives a first signal, and the CDMA system 406 receives asecond signal. In this example, the transmission levels for incumbentsignals and overlay signals are predefined negotiated levels.

The MMDS system 404 modulates the signals to be transmitted according toan MMDS protocol to create an incumbent signal. The MMDS system 404transmits the incumbent signal to the multi-access controller 108.Concurrently, the MMDS MAC entity 408 monitors the modulation of thefirst signal by the MMDS system 404 to the incumbent signal. The MMDSMAC entity 408 transmits a status signal to the multi-access controller108 identifying the signal characteristics of the incumbent signal,including the transmission levels.

The CMDA system 406 receives a second signal and modulates the secondsignal according to a CDMA protocol to create an overlay signal. TheCDMA system 406 transmits the overlay signal to the multi-accesscontroller 108. Concurrently, the CDMA MAC entity 410 monitors themodulation of the first signal to create the incumbent signal. The CDMAMAC entity 410 transmits a status signal to the multi-access controller108 identifying the signal characteristics of the overlay signal,including the transmission levels.

In this example, the MMDS MAC entity 408 and the CDMA MAC entity 410communicate with each other. Each transmits a status signal to the otheridentifying the signal characteristics of the respective incumbentsignal and overlay signal.

The multi-access controller 108 receives the incumbent signal, theoverlay signal, and the status signals. The multi-access controller 108determines that the transmission levels of the incumbent signal andoverlay signal are correct and overlays the incumbent signal with theoverlay signal to create a complementary signal.

In another example, the multi-access controller 108 receives anincumbent signal from the MMDS system 404 and an overlay signal from theCDMA system 406. The multi-access controller 108 also receives a statussignal from the MMDS MAC entity 408 and the CMDA MAC entity 410. Themulti-access controller 108 determines that the power level used by theCDMA system 406 is not correct and transmits a control signal to theCDMA system requesting that the power level be changed and that theoverlay signal be retransmitted to the multi-access controller. The CDMAsystem 406 reformats its received signal to create another overlaysignal according to the correct transmission level. The CDMA system 406then transmits the new overlay signal to the multi-access controller108.

It will be appreciated that other examples exist. However, one skilledin the art can use the examples of operation described with respect toFIGS. 1 through 4 to determine alternative examples and operations foreach of the embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 102Cidentifying separate transmitters and receivers. The embodiment of FIG.5 depicts downstream communications. The upstream portion of thecommunication system 102C comprises an MMDS modulator 502, a CDMAmodulator 504, and a multi-access controller 108A. The downstreamportion of the communication system 102C comprises an MMDS demodulator506, a CDMA demodulator 508, and a multi-access controller 108B.

The MMDS modulator 502 receives signals from the network device 110A andmodulates the signals according to protocols used with MMDS spectrum.The MMDS modulator 502 then transmits the MMDS modulated signals to themulti-access controller 108A as incumbent signals. The MMDS modulator502 may be configured to provide other signal processing.

The CDMA modulator 504 receives signals from the network device 112A andmodulates the signals according to protocols used for CDMA signals. TheCDMA modulator 504 transmits the CDMA modulated signals to themulti-access controller 108A as overlay signals. The CDMA modulator 504may be configured to provide other signal processing.

The multi-access controller 108A comprises only the upstream portion ofthe multi-access controller 108 described above. (See FIG. 1) Themulti-access controller 108A overlays the incumbent signals with overlaysignals as described above to create complementary signals. Themulti-access controller transmits complementary signals over the network114 as described above.

The multi-access controller 108B comprises only the downstream portionof the multi-access controller 108 described above. (See FIG. 1) Themulti-access controller 108B receives a complementary signal. Themulti-access controller 108B transmits the complementary signal to theMMDS demodulator 506 and the CDMA demodulator 508.

The MMDS demodulator 506 receives the complementary signal from themulti-access controller 108B, demodulates the complementary signalaccording to protocols used for MMDS spectrum demodulation, andtransmits the demodulated signal to the network device 110B. The MMDSdemodulator 506 may be configured to provide other signal processing.

The CDMA demodulator 508 receives the complementary signal from themulti-access controller 108B, demodulates the complementary signalaccording to protocols used for CDMA signals, and transmits thedemodulated signals to the network device 112B. The CDMA demodulator 508may be configured to provide other signal processing.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 102D inwhich the multi-access controller is not integrated. In the embodimentof FIG. 6, the communication system 102D comprises an MMDS receiver 602and a CDMA receiver 604. The other components of the communicationsystem 102D are the same as those depleted in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

The MMDS receiver 602 is configured to receive only the portion of acomplementary signal that is formatted for protocols used with MMDSsignals. Thus, the MMDS receiver 602 only will receive MMDS signals. Tobe consistent, these signals will be referred to herein as incumbentsignals. The MMDS receiver 602 receives the incumbent signals anddemodulates the incumbent signals or otherwise formats the incumbentsignals as needed to be receivable by the network device 110B.

The CDMA receiver 604 is configured to receive only the portion of acomplementary signal that is formatted for protocols used with CDMAsignals. Thus, the CDMA receiver 604 only will receive CDMA signals. Tobe consistent, these signals will be referred to herein as overlaysignals. The CDMA receiver 604 receives the overlay signals anddemodulates the overlay signals or otherwise formats the overlay signalsas needed to be receivable by the network device 112B.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from thespecific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the invention.The invention should not be restricted to the above embodiments, butshould be measured by the following claims.

1. A wireless communication system comprising: a first communicationsystem configured to receive a first control signal indicating a firstpower level, receive first communications, format the firstcommunications into a first communication signal having the first powerlevel and a first communication protocol in response to the firstcontrol message, and transfer the first communication signal having thefirst power level and the first communication protocol; a secondcommunication system configured to receive a second control signalindicating a second power level, receive second communications, formatthe second communications into a second communication signal having thesecond power level and a second communication protocol in response tothe second control message, and transfer the second communication signalhaving the second power level and the second communication protocol; acontroller configured to transfer the first control signal and thesecond control signal, receive the first communication signal having thefirst power level and the first communication protocol, receive thesecond communication signal having the second power level and the secondcommunication protocol, combine the first communication signal and thesecond communication signal to form a wireless communication signal, andtransfer the wireless communication signal.
 2. The wirelesscommunication system of claim 1 wherein the first communication protocolcomprises Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS).
 3. Thewireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the secondcommunication protocol comprises Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).4. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the controlleris configured to monitor received power in the first communicationsignal to generate the first control signal indicating the first powerlevel.
 5. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein thecontroller is configured to monitor received power in the secondcommunication signal to generate the second control signal indicatingthe second power level.
 6. The wireless communication system of claim 1wherein the first communications comprise internet communications. 7.The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the secondcommunications comprise voice communications.
 8. The wirelesscommunication system of claim 1 wherein the first control signalindicates a frequency.
 9. The wireless communication system of claim 8wherein the first communication system is further configured to formatthe first communications into the first communication signal having thefrequency in response to the first control message.
 10. The wirelesscommunication system of claim 1 wherein the second control signalindicates a frequency, and wherein the second communication system isfurther configured to format the second communications into the secondcommunication signal having the frequency in response to the secondcontrol message.
 11. A method of operating a wireless communicationsystem, the method comprising: in a first communication system,receiving a first control signal indicating a first power level,receiving first communications, formatting the first communications intoa first communication signal having the first power level and a firstcommunication protocol in response to the first control message, andtransferring the first communication signal having the first power leveland the first communication protocol; in a second communication system,receiving a second control signal indicating a second power level,receiving second communications, formatting the second communicationsinto a second communication signal having the second power level and asecond communication protocol in response to the second control message,and transferring the second communication signal having the second powerlevel and the second communication protocol; and in a controller,transferring the first control signal and the second control signal,receiving the first communication signal having the first power leveland the first communication protocol, receiving the second communicationsignal having the second power level and the second communicationprotocol, combining the first communication signal and the secondcommunication signal to form a wireless communication signal, andtransferring the wireless communication signal.
 12. The method of claim11 wherein the first communication protocol comprises MultichannelMultipoint Distribution Service (MMDS).
 13. The method of claim 11wherein the second communication protocol comprises Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA).
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprisingin the controller, monitoring received power in the first communicationsignal to generate the first control signal indicating the first powerlevel.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising in the controller,monitoring received power in the second communication signal to generatethe second control signal indicating the second power level.
 16. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the first communications comprise internetcommunications.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the secondcommunications comprise voice communications.
 18. The method of claim 11wherein the first control signal indicates a frequency.
 19. The methodof claim 18, further comprising in the first communication system,formatting the first communications into the first communication signalhaving the frequency in response to the first control message.
 20. Themethod of claim 11 wherein the second control signal indicates afrequency, and further comprising in the second communication system,formatting the second communications into the second communicationsignal having the frequency in response to the second control message.